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AS3 | G STS: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY (UV MAIN: BEED1-A1)

LESSON 3: Bio-nanotechnology

Lesson 3.2 Nanotechnology

Introduction
A nanometer is a unit of length in the metric system which is equal to one billionth of a meter (10-9).

 Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines and techniques in order to solve a problem or perform specific
function.

Definitions of Nanotechnology
It is the study of manipulating matter on an atomic scale.
It refers to the constructing and engineering of the functional systems at very micro or atomic level.
It is a field of applied science and technology whose unifying theme is the control of matter on the molecular scales, and the
fabrication of devices within that size range.
It is a highly multidisciplinary field combined with refined processes such as beam lithography and molecular beam epitaxy that
allow the deliberate manipulation of nanostructures which led to the observation of novel phenomena.

 Therefore, Nanotechnology refers to the manipulation of matter on an atomic or subatomic scale.   ​    ~McNamara et al, STS,
2018.

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 Nanoparticles in Nanotechnology
A nanoparticle is a small particle that ranges between 1 to 100 nanometres in size. Undetectable by the human eye, nanoparticles can
exhibit significantly different physical and chemical properties to their larger material counterparts.

Approaches of Nanotechnology
 

Nanotechnology can be seen as an extension of existing sciences into the nanoscale, or as a recasting of existing sciences using a
newer, more modern term.

In the "bottom-up" approach, materials and devices are built from molecular components which assemble themselves chemically by
principles of molecular recognition.
In the "top-down" approach, nano-objects are constructed from larger entities without atomic-level control.

Applications of Nanotechnology
 

1. Drugs

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It provides new options for drug delivery and drug therapies It enables drugs to be delivered precisely to the right location of the
body and release drug doses on a predetermined schedule for optimal treatment

2. Mobile

Morph, a nanotechnology concept device developed by Nokia Research Center (NRC) and the University of Cambridge. It will be
super hydrophobic making it extremely dirt repellent.

3. Fabrics

The properties of familiar materials are being changed by manufacturers who are adding nano-sized component to conventional
materials to improve performance. It makes clothing stain repellent, bullet proof, and antimicrobial.

4. Electronics

Electronics made from nanowires enable flat panel displays to be flexible as well as thinner than current flat panel displays. It is
used for fabrication of chips.

5. Computers

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The use of silicon transistors may be replaced by transistors based on carbon nanotubes. A carbon nanotube is a molecule in form
of a hollow cylinder with a diameter of around a nanometer which consists of pure carbon.
The development of nanorods in the display techniques resulted to less consumption of electricity and less heat emission.
Magnetic nanowires are made of an alloy of iron and nickel that are being used to create dense memory devices.

Other Uses:

Cutting tools made of nanocrystalline materials, such as tungsten carbide, tantalum carbine and titanium carbide, are more wear
and erosion-resistant, and last longer than their conventional counterparts.
Silver nanocrystals have been embedded in bandages to kill bacteria and prevent infection.
Nanoparticles- based synthetic bone formed by manipulating Calcium and Phosphate at the molecular level.
Aerogels lightest known solid due to good insulating properties is used in space suits and are proposed to use in space craft.

Possibilities for the future of Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology may make it possible to manufacture lighter, stronger and programmable materials that require less energy to
produce than conventional material and that promise greater fuel efficiency in land transportation, ships, aircraft, and space
vehicles.
The future of nanotechnology could very well include the use of nanorobotics. This nanobots have the potential to take on human
tasks as well as tasks that humans could never complete. The rebuilding of the depleted ozone layer could potentially be able to be
performed.
There would be an entire nano surgical field to help cure everything from natural aging to diabetes to bone spurs.
There would be almost nothing that couldn’t be paired (eventually) with the introduction of nano-surgery.

(Note: Please watch the video below to learn more about Nanotechnology)

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